Given that the Pembroke County Cricket League Division Two programme has not reached the halfway stage and there is a long way to go division new boys Llechryd already look destined for a quick return to the third division.

The Teifisiders crashed to their fifth defeat when going down by seven wickets in a relegation scrap against Haverfordwest 2nds.

The result left the villagers 50 points adrift of safety and realistically John Curran and Co must notch a win from one of the three games remaining in the first half of the season at Carew 2nds and Burton and at home against fellow strugglers Whitland Seconds.

Yet again it was below par batting that proved costly as the visitors were dismissed for 125. Left-hander Steve Smith made a patient 41 and Graham Keen was still there at the end with 35 but the total was not really a defendable one. For the homesters seamers James Morris and Simon Williams snapped three wickets apiece.

In the Haverfordwest reply there were a few early jitters as three wickets fell but Mikey Jones (68 not out) and Adam Raymond (27 not out) guided their side to victory and 28 points. Llechryd picked up four points.

Crymych moved out of the Division Three relegation zone after tasting success for the first time with a comprehensive ten-wicket win at Pembroke Dock.

The home side posted a useful total of 164 with Luke Murray (35), Chris Boyett (34) and James Olyott (24) the main contributors while for the visitors Osian Wyn had figures of 4-22.

As the Preselimen replied Richard Thomas and Elgan Vittle batted brilliantly with the former scoring heavily all round the wicket in an unbeaten innings of 81 Vittle also dominated the bowling as he made 66. The visitors banked a maximum haul of 30 points.

Llechryd outdid their seniors with a five-wicket win over Cresselly 3rds at the Castell Malgwyn ground and moved out of the Division Five relegation zone. The visitors were dismissed for 82 and Llechryd got the runs for the loss of five wickets.

In the basement division Crymych 2nds went down to a seven-wicket defeat against Kilgetty 2nds. Dyfed Sion scored a half century for Crymych.

* The Swansea Civil Service versus Llandysul game in Division Two of the South Wales Cricket Association at Bishop Gore Playing Fields was cancelled on Saturday due to the wet weather.

In Division Two of the 2nd Xl competition Llandysul lost by six wickets against their Swansea Civil Service counterparts at Tyr Dref.

Cricket standings

Pembroke County League

Division Two: Johnston 136; Llangwm 130; Hook 112; Cresselly 2nds 93; Pembroke 85; Burton 79; Carew 2nds 73; Haverfordwest 2nds 50; Whitland 2nds 26; Llechryd 20

Division Three: Camrose & Spittal 137; Kilgetty 108; Lamphey 100; Stackpole 98; Pembroke Dock 95; Neyland 2nds 78; Herbrandston 65; Crymych 63; Narberth 2nds 47; Saundersfoot 2nds 5

Division Five: Pembroke 2nds, Llanrhian 2nds 143; Stackpole 2nds 91; Haverfordwest 4ths 80; Narberth 3rds 77; Hundleton 2nds 67; Pembroke Dock 2nds, Llechryd 2nds 64; St. Ishmaels 2nds 43; Cresselly 3rds 41

Division Six: Kilgetty 2nds 90; Camrose & Spittal 2nds 84; Whitland 3rds 60; Lamphey 2nds 57; Neyland 3rds 33; Crymych 2nds 10; Hook 3rds -8

South Wales Association

Division Two: Llangennech 96; Cowbridge 89; Llandysul 84; Briton Ferry Steel 81; Llanelli 58; Swansea Civil Service 57; Bronwydd 42; Maesteg 35; Gorseinon 33; Porthcawl 25